Syria
About
| The Syrian Arab Republic revels in its antiquity, having been inhabited for tens of thousands of years - and in the variation and cultural riches that such antiquity has brought it. This is a country that preserves scores of relics documenting the rise and fall of different civilisations, and which continues to welcome such diversity. Be stunned by the bright colours of Syrian cities during the annual Silk Road Festival (usually held in September). Attend a musical festival, held every two years, at Bosra’s well-preserved Roman amphitheatre. Treat yourself to a back rub in the Syrian Arab Republic's well-preserved hammams (public baths). There are some lovely ancient khans (rest houses) to unwind. Navigate through the world’s oldest inhabited city: Damascus. A central feature of this cluttered and clamorous city is the Ummayyad Mosque, entered by passing through the Al-Hamidiyah Bazaar. |
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| Official Name: | Syrian Arab Republic |
| Native Name: | Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah / Suriyah |
| Capital: | Damascus (DAM) |
| Currency: | Syrian Pound (SYP) |
| Language: | Arabic. French, English and Kurdish are widely spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 963 |
| Time Zones: | UTC/GMT +2 hours (Same as South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | Last Friday March – last Friday October: UTC/GMT +3 hours (1 hour ahead of South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right. |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Outside of the main towns, water may be contaminated. |
| Health: | Within the towns, there are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. |
| Customs: | As this is a predominately Islamic country, dress should always be conservative: men should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and legs covered. Respect to religious customs should be shown during the month of Ramadan. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Smoking is prohibited during daylight hours during Ramadan. Homosexuality is illegal. Drug trafficking carries the death penalty. Photographing of military personnel, buildings and radio transmission towers is forbidden. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Travellers Cheques are not recommended. ATM’s may not accept international debit cards and credit cards are not widely accepted. Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans. |
| Duty Free: | The following items may be imported into the Syrian Arab Republic without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigarillos or 25 cigars or 250g of tobacco. • 30ml of perfume. • 570ml of spirits. • 500ml of lotion and 500ml of eau de cologne. • Gifts worth up to S£250. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Firearms and ammunition, and live, frozen or stuffed birds, or any bird-derived products. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Syria
963 Francis Baard Street, Arcadia, 0083
Tel: (012) 342-4701
Office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1500
E-mail: syriaemb@telkomsa.net
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1; Mar 8, 21, 31; Apr 17, 20; May 1, 6; Jun 6, 27; Sep 5; Oct 6; Dec 25
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Mar 18, 20-21; Apr 5, 12, 17; May 1, 27; Jun 17; Aug 26; Dec 8, 25
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders.
REQUIREMENTS:
• 2 Application forms filled out completely and accurately.
• 2 passport size photographs (colour / white background)
• Proof of hotel accommodation
• Original valid passport (min.validity of 6 months, with at least one blank page)
• Recent HIV test results compulsory from a laboratory
• Airticket reservation (Ticket to be paid for AFTER visa has been approved)
Note: Credit cards are accepted only at some shops and hotels. Travellers cheques cannot be cashed.
Payment for the visa should be made only after you have confirmed with the Embassy that your visa has been approved.
For other passport holders, please contact the Consular section directly for visa fees.
WARNING: Travellers with Israeli or Palestinian stamps in their passports will not be granted entry into Syria.
Please note that application forms inaccurately filled out will be returned.
Visa Processing Time
6-8 weeks weeks (depending on authorization from Syria)
Visa Cost
Single entry: USD50.00
Confirm exchange rate with the Embassy at time of payment once visa has been approved (for the ZAR amount).
SA Representative
Embassy of South Africa
7 Jadet Kouraish, Al-Ghazaoui Street, West Mezzeh, Damascus
Tel: + 9 63 11 6135 1520
E-mail: consular.damascus@dirco.gov.za
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tetanus, Polio |
